In his piece on the deceptively named “Employee Free Choice Act,” AFL-CIO President John Sweeney says corporate interests don’t want a real debate on the issue. Anyone who is familiar with the AFL-CIO and its history won’t be surprised to know that it is actually Sweeney who is ducking the issue (“Give workers free, fair choice,” Opposing view, Labor laws debate, Thursday).

As a former director of labor law for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, I have challenged Sweeney and other union leaders to an open debate on EFCA. They have either ignored the request or declined. The reason unions are afraid to debate this issue is because this bill would take away working Americans’ right to a secret ballot vote, and that is indefensible.